SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord!
NEWS: Today is the day we meet up in God’s house again! We start with our Sunday Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel is leading a study in the miracles of Jesus and what they mean in our lives. Our worship service follows at 10. Pastor Joel’s sermon is based on Luke 13:1-9 and is entitled, “Be Slow to Judge and Quick to Turn to Jesus.” After the celebration of the Lord’s Supper and close of the service, we have our fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then, for those hungry for lunch, we invite you to meet up at Carl’s Jr. on Douglas Dr., between Arco and CVS.
Also serving our Lord and our congregation today:
Fellowship: Darryl Finley
Flowers: The Reillys
Techies: Bruce Woodward
Acolyte: Open
Greeter: Kathy Andrews
Ushers: Victor Dille, Bill Sperberg
Reader: Allen Kolkman
Communion Assistant: Allen Latall
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray or Rick and Gail Adams. They request prayers for their daughter-in-laws brother Josh, dealing with liver cancer. We also pray for Margaret Paton’s friend Linda, at the passing of her mother.
COLLECT FOR TODAY: O God, whose glory it is to always have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Psalm 129; Psalm 79; Psalm 102; Genesis 27:30-45; Genesis 28:10-22; Mark 9:1-13
DIGGING DEEPER: Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95:1-9; Romans 5:1-8; John 4:5-30, 39-42
The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.
DEVOTION:
“EXPEDIENCE”
The chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to Him, “Tell us by what authority You do these things, or who it is that gave You this authority.” He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell Me, was the Baptism of John from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” (Luke 20:1-8)
This story makes me sad. The leaders of the temple can’t answer Jesus’ question—because for them, the right answer isn’t the true answer. It’s the expedient one. They want an answer that will help them keep their power, their position, their prestige. Was John from God—who cares? Was Jesus from God? Same answer.
It’s shameful, but it’s such an easy sin to fall into—preferring the easy answer to the true answer, the lie that protects us rather than the truth that might get us into trouble. Who can keep us from this evil? Only the Truth incarnate—Jesus Himself.
Jesus doesn’t lie to us. When He says, “Your sins are forgiven,” they really are. When He says, “I died for you,” it’s true. When He says, “I am alive forevermore,” and “Whoever believes in Me will live forever,” we can trust Him. We can build our lives on His answers, because He speaks the truth.
THE PRAYER: Lord, help me to cling to Your truth instead of the lies of the world around me. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* When have you fallen for a lie? What was the result?
* When have you been tempted to protect yourself with a lie?
* When do you long for the truth the most?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Numbers 26-27 Luke 1:1-20
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select “Save Link As” or “Save Target As” or “Download Linked File As”
Luther’s Morning Prayer
In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father through Jesus Christ your dear son, that you have protected me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you that you would also protect me today from sin and all evil, so that my life and actions may please you completely. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
After singing a hymn or whatever else may serve your devotion, you can go about you day joyfully!
Luther’s Evening Prayer
In the evening, when you go to bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected me today, and I ask you to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously to protect me tonight. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
Now you can go to bed quickly and cheerfully.
OTHER RESOURCES:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
Here is the website for Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
Lutheran Public Radio is listener supported and has two channels, one for sacred music and the other for talk, including news, current issues, politics and spiritual matters from a Lutheran perspective. Hosted by Pastor Todd Wilken, Issues, Etc. airs live Monday thru Friday from 1 to 3 pm Pacific, with the “Best Of” running at other hours: https://lutheranpublicradio.org/
KFUO is the listener supported radio station owned and operated by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Based in St. Louis, their format consists of teaching, preaching, ministry and sacred music: https://www.kfuo.org/
A very blessed Lord’s Day and Sunday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
